OP-ED: Warning to taxpayers

ROSEMARIE JACKOWSKI, Bennington resident

Posted:   11/19/2013 01:00:00 AM EST

Congratulations to the citizens who spoke at the Select Board meeting on Monday, Nov. 11. The meeting was an impressive example of how democracy works.

There are remaining questions about the proposed anti-panhandler ordinance.

Will it violate the First Amendment? Any 8-year-old can Google “Panhandler laws and The First Amendment.” Anti panhandler laws have been tried and failed across the country.

A few unanswered questions about the proposed law.

1. If someone on Main Street asks: “Can you please help me? I need directions to the covered bridge.” Would that be a violation?

2. If someone on Main Street asks: “Can you please help me? I need a dollar.” Would that be a violation? If so, would that be profiling? Would that be victimizing someone because of socio/economic class? Would that be selective enforcement of the law?

3. Would holding a sign that said: “Need ride to Albany” be a violation? What about holding a sign that said: “Will work for food?”

4. If this law is adopted, would it put taxpayers at risk? What would be the likely result if the law was challenged in Court on Constitutional grounds? Will Bennington taxpayers be at risk if a Constitutional legal battle results?

The common belief is that there are “services” for all who are in need.

That is a myth.

Stigma prevents many who need help from asking. Beyond that, there are often so many loopholes that many in real need do not qualify. It is sometimes a “gotcha system,” lacking in privacy, and disrespecting the person asking for help.

Another misconception about the poor is that they are “inferior,” mentally ill, lazy, substance abusers. The stereotyping of any group leads to prejudice.

Many respectable citizens, especially here in Bennington, are just one medical/dental emergency away from economic disaster. A bumper sticker on one car in town says: “I don’t need therapy. I need money.”

Homelessness is an issue — so much so, that recently some were considering putting up a tent city in Bennington. Recently it was announced that a 59-unit Econo Lodge in Shelburne is being converted to house the homeless.

Instead of hiding them, they are being helped in Shelburne. Would that be a solution in other locations? The prejudice against the “lower class” is very clear. Some are poor through no fault of their own.

One of the leading causes of bankruptcy is the cost of medical care. A 2007 Harvard study showed that 60 percent of bankruptcies are due to medical expenses. Seventy-five percent filing for bankruptcy had health care insurance. Sometimes bad things do happen to good people.

The bottom line is this. It appears that the law is under consideration because of a desire to make the poor invisible to tourists. One town officer was quoted in the news as saying that panhandlers create an “image” problem. Instead of hiding the poor, how about helping them.

A suggestion to the town leaders: Next time a panhandler asks for help, invite him out to lunch. Maybe you will have a new understanding of the causes of poverty and also make a new friend.

Rosemarie Jackowski is a Bennington resident.